1980: DELORENZO: THE CADILLAC OF TOMATO PIES

GREAT ARTICLE ON A GREAT LOCAL FAMILY! 

(IT TOOK ME A WHILE BUT I FOUND IT!)

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Mack said...

Hi Tom:) Fantastic post, if it took a while to find it was sure worth it. I think at one time on Hudson the DeLorenzo's had the Tomato Pie place, a Barber Shop, and Jimmie's Camera Shop all at once. God Bless the Ole Burg:)

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

omad said...

What's great is that Tom brings it all back to us Luv it

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

Ralph Lucarella said...

HI TOM....I FEEL PRETTY CLOSE TO THE DeLORENZO'S. I WAS BORN RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER FROM THEM ON MOTT ST. AND PAT DeLORENZO WAS MY FATHER'S BARBER. I THINK CHICK WAS MY AGE AND DID A TERRIFIC JOB IN TURNING A BARBERSHOP INTO ONE OF THE BEST TOMATO PIE BUSINESSES IN THE CITY. BEST REGARDS,

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

1945:TRENTON AREA NIGHTLIFE

I seem to be drawn to these places from the past. Remember "Jack and Bob's"? "Jack Fowler's"? Not shown are the two places we teens figured to be the best place to take a date: The Brookside up in the Flemington area, and "Chubby's" down in Camden. What class!

Sally Logan Gilman said...

Yes, Tom. These are great places from the past and it's fun to see the ads. So thank you. My friends and I roller skated at Capitol Arena on Lalor Street. And of course, you know how I loved The Strand, and Tanzone's for tomato pies across Hermitage from the theatre. As always, great stuff.

Thursday, October 07, 2010

Ralph Lucarella said...

HI TOM.....IN OCTOBER OF 1945 I WAS ON MY WAY TO BOOT CAMP AT BAINBRIDGE, MD. BUT BEFORE THAT, I SURE FOUND MOST OF THE PLACES IN THIS AD TO BE VERY POPULAR. WE HAD OUR FIRST CHILD AT THAT TIME BUT STILL FOUND TIME WITH OUR FRIENDS IN THE BURG TO GET OUT ON OCCASIONS. BEST REGARDS.

Sunday, October 10, 2010

1945: DO YOU REMEMBER TONYS' TOMATO PIES?

Back during the 1940's, I, and most of my Hamilton neighbors took a seat at DeLorenzo's Tomato Pie restaurant further to the east on Hamilton and Ardmore Avenues. I still remember seeing the photos of countless celebrities who stopped in to enjoy a tomato pie made using the DeLorenzo

family's incredible recipe. Personally,  I find no better TOMATO PIE than "Rickie D's!" Rick's son, also known as  Rick, has picked up the torch and continues to serve what I consider the very best tomato pie, bar none. As to the photo above, 15 Anderson Street is pointed to as being the building. However, the little building to the immediate right seems more logical. Perhaps an old timer from the Burg can enlighten us.

Michael said...

Tom: I am confused by the comment that back in the 40's you ate at Ricky DiLorenzo's Tomatoe Pie on Hamilton and Ardmore. During that time DeLorenzo's was located on So. Broad and Ferry Sts. across from the Hamilton Hotel, now the site of the Area parking lot. The "tony's referred too appears to be "Tony Goes" Italian Hot dogs. Now run by my old Jr. Four buddy, Gino Maccaroni's family. Mike Kuzma

Thursday, October 07, 2010

Hi Mike:

Unless someone come by to agree that DeLorenzo's was not on Hamilton Avenue in the 1940's, I'm going to stay with my 1940's recollections, Perhaps John from DeLorenzo's can check as to the date. As I age, I find that eras and times can get fuzzy,. However, I distinctly remember seeing those 1940's photos of Perry Como, Frank Sinatra and others. I can also remember that "Pat" was one of the staff. Let's see if my memory is off base, It won't be the first time. Thanks for the comment, and I am delighted that you found your sister on my blog.

Tom Glover

Tom,  The  building  to  the  right looks  like TONY GOES Italian Hot Dogs, which I think you may  have  the  wrong  address. The  building to the  right would  be Tony's Tomato Pies next  to  the  alley.

John Krzywulak, ( Buddy's brother)

Thanks for verifying my suspicion, John, I got the address from a map site by entering the address. The arrow pointed to that big house but I was sure it was that little building. Great to hear from you. Is Buddy still with us? If he is, send my best. If not, let me know and I will remember him in my prayers,

Tom Glover

Tom: I am confused by the comment that back in the 40's you ate at Ricky DiLorenzo's Tomatoe Pie on Hamilton and Ardmore. During that time DeLorenzo's was located on So. Broad and Ferry Sts. across from the Hamilton Hotel, now the site of the Area parking lot. The "tony's referred too appears to be "Tony Goes" Italian Hot dogs. Now run by my old Jr. Four buddy, Gino Maccaroni's family. Mike Kuzma

Thursday, October 07, 2010

Mack said...

Yes this is referring to the ole Casino AKA Tony Goes..15 Anderson Street, which has been closed and gone for years now.

Thursday, October 07, 2010

Ralph Lucarella said...

HI TOM.... I SPENT 6 YEARS IN THAT NEIGHBORHOOD ATTENDING HAMILTON SCHOOL FROM 1926 TO 1931. I LIVED IN THAT AREA UNTIL I WAS INDUCTED INTO THE NAVY IN 1945. THE TONY'S REFERRED TO IN THE PHOTO SEEMS TO BE THE CASINO. THE SCHOOL HAS BEEN REPLACED BY ROMA SAVINGS AND EVERTHING ELSE IN THAT PHOTO SEEMS DIFFERENT.

Thursday, October 07, 2010

omad said...

Definitely Tony Goes (The Casino). Went there a few years ago after coming out of John Henry's and sat at the counter with the daughter. They were having a special day with all prices what they were back in the 50s. I lived around the corner on Hamilton where my family had their restaurant when I was a kid. The daughter actually remembered me. My friends and I used to pick up Italian hot dogs with the BEST potatoes on them and take them in the Park Theater across the street. They had to be there in the 40s cause I moved from there 1945.

Thursday, October 07, 2010

omad said...

Now about DeLorenzo's on Hamilton Ave. They were there in the 50s but I don't think in the 40s because I lived around the corner on So Olden near the corner of Hamilton and they opened when I was in about 8th grade (1948). My recollection puts them closer to Hamilton as we used to walk around the alley around Cook Y field and out to Hamilton and go right there. Bob Harrison lived on the corner of the alley that went off Hamilton to Cook Y. I think DeLorenzo's was closer to Cuyler than Ardmore.

Thursday, October 07, 2010

From Tom Glover:

Thanks, folks for correcting me on the date. I was apparently incorrect in dating DeLorenzo's as being a place I visited in the 1940's. Sorry about that, but happy to see there are those who keep me honest in historical dates. Speaking of the 40's, I do remember my very first tomato pie. My brother and father and other guys had a weekly bowling night and one night I recall them bringing back a large tomato pie. It was love at first sight. Once again, I call on my aging, and as proven above, sometimes erroneous memory to observe that the bowled at the Bromley Inn. Anybody out there to let me know if this is another of my "fantasies?"

omad said...

Loved this one. So many old memories. Tom, is there really a place in Trenton to get a REAL "tomato pie". If I remember correctly, Pappa's on Chambers used to dust the bottom of the crust with corn meal. Yummie!!!

Friday, October 08, 2010

HEY OMAD: I can't speak for Pappa's. I am perfectly content with Rickie D's real tomato pie. In fact, I'm picking one up this afternoon.

Tom

Sally Logan Gilman said...

Oh come on guys, you are making me hungry for a real "tomato pie.'' The last time we were in Trenton, our friend took my husband and me to DeLorenzo's and we parked across the street on the corner of Ardmore Ave. It was the best pie I have had since the last time I was in NJ. The pizza in NE is awful, but we eat it because we can't get anything else. So consider yourselves lucky. And enjoy.

Monday, October 11, 2010

Jerry said...

On the 8th Day, God created Rick DeLorenzo.

Monday, October 11, 2010

1945: SWITLIK PARACHUTE COMPANY CELEBRATES 25 YEARS

Stanley Switlik: He was a remarkable man. From very modest roots, Mr. Switlik, like my Dad and many other European immigrants, came over on steerage from his native Poland. In my humble estimation Stanley Switlik was directly responsible for saving literally thousands with the parachute. He should be installed in the all time hall of fame and one of America's greatest persons.

Mack said...

I so agree Tom:)

Thursday, October 07, 2010

Ralph Lucarella said...

HI TOM... MY WIFE WORKED AT SWITLICK'S WHEN THEY WERE RIGHT BEHIND SO. BROAD ST. AND DYE. SHE SEEMED TO ENJOY THE JOB VERY MUCH. BEST REGARDS.

Friday, October 08, 2010

1945: YEAH-RIGHT, HARRY!

It didn't take too long for Julius and Ethel Rosenberg, and perhaps others to compromise the ultra secret atomic bomb. It was only a short time later that Russia obtained all the information needed to match the U.S. technology, and thus began what we all have come to know as "the arms race."

1870'S Curca 1878 Photo Ivins and McGalliard

Slowly but surely some of the pieces are beginning to come together! Thanks to Dave McGalliard, Glenn Rogers, Eleanor Goldy Guear, and George Goldy, the early years of Hamilton's rural farm boundaries are seemingly coming into clearer focus. Stay with me here: The McGalliard family owned a huge area of real estate that suggests reaching from White Horse southward along "Old Olden Avenue" to the Goldy Farm at Cedar Lane and Olden. The Goldy Farm extended eastward to encompass the Fred Kuser Farm to Pond Run Road. (Fred Kuser purchased the land on which today's Kuser Park is located from Benjamin Goldy.) There has yet to be a definitive link with the Pittman Farm, the Wright land holdings over in the Cedar Lane and Chambers Street area, the Symmes Hutchinson Farm along Cedar Street to Chambers, the Abner Chambers Farm further toward Greenwood Avenue, and the Colonial era Anderson Farm which bounded the Chambers Farm and extended eastward all the way to the area of Greenwood Cemetery. If we only had a map of the Hamilton Township of the 1850 era!

A caveat from Tom: The above is pure speculation on my part, 

based upon what I have learned from the McGalliard, Goldy, Plaag, Lawton, and Kuser families. 

Future discoveries could change the information above; stay tuned.  The 1875 map of Hamilton shows much of the land broken up into smaller farms 

Hi Tom,

I would estimate the date of the McGalliard/ Ivins photo to be circa late 1870's. Wm V McGalliard was born in 1857 and I would say the photo dates him in his 20's.

Thanks for all your help,

Glenn Rogers

THANKS, GLENN. I YIELD TO YOUR KNOWLEDGE OF AGES AND DETAILS ON THE MCGALLIARD FAMILY MEMBERS. THE DATE HAS BEEN PUSHED BACK TO THE LATE 1870'S AND ESTIMATING Ca. 1878. THANKS AGAIN TO YOU AND DAVE FOR BRINGING THIS HISTORIC WHITE HORSE/MCGALLIARD FAMILY HISTORIC FAMILY TREASURES TO AN INTERESTED PUBLIC.

TOM GLOVER 

THE ORIGINAL MAPLE SHADE SCHOOL

Thanks once again to Dave McGalliard and W.V. McGralliard Grandson Glenn Rogers for coming together and bringing very important McGalliard family history to the Hamilton Library! Identified in the black and white class photo below are:
Top row, left to right: 1, Clifford Halloway 2, Unknown, 33 Mellville Halloway, 4, Walter Gropp? 5, William Sharp, 6, Jasper Chapman, 7, and 8 unknown, 9 William Burke?

=========

Middle row, 1, William Tindall, 2, Josephine Rogers, 3, Jennie Chapman, 4,5,6 and 7 Unknown, 8 Christina Raab, 9, Florence Rabb?

========

Front row, 1 and 2 Unknown, 3, Emma Raab? 4, Ruth Ranier, 5, Emma McGalliard, 6, Elizabeth Cahill, 7, May Cahill, 8, Mildred McGalliard, 9 Unknown.
THE TEACHER: MISS WHITTAKER

1945: ST. JOACHIM DANCE

This graphic illustrates how much the area has changed over the years from a middle sized Trenton and sparsely settled Hamilton into the present day, As one of the many Anglo-Saxons who respect the heritage of Chambersburg, The article above has many names that are familiar to me on a personal basis. Nello Bencivengo, the father of Niel and Alex Bencivengo, were Atkins Avenue neighbors. In fact, Alex was a dear friend and one of our local Plaag's Grove sand lot shortstops. Additionally, Nello was a frequent sidekick with my father,back in my father's horse racing days. And of course, to those readers familiar with my numerous school crushes, Madeline, although not mentioned in the article above was also a Bencivengo who had my heart aflutter back in my teen years, along with her sister, Carol, and of course our own Mayor John Bencivento. In addition, I see Pete Ercoli, whom I met many years ago when he was a foreman at American Steel and Wire Company on Hamilton Avenue. Gene Melone is probably Trenton Councilman Gino Melone's father, but I can't verify that. Stephen Kovacs' son Steve and his late wife, Sharon were  fellow communcants at St. Anthony Parish when I was a member of that church. Moving over to the more obscure possibilities, Maurice Rossi was in all likelihood the same "Mo Rossi" who with Joe Belina and Mayor Jack Rafferty were instrumental in accepting my offer to set up a local history collection at the Hamilton Township Public Library. . 

1900 (Ca 1900) The McGalliard Homestead

This magnificent and exquisitely rare photo of the McGalliard homestead on White Horse Mercerville Road (Now Kingston & Kemp Funeral Home) comes through the generosity of Dave McGalliard, Cheshire, Connecticut, along with Hamiltonian and great grandson in the McGalliard family, Glenn Rogers acting as intermediary. Hamilton Township is eternally grateful to the McGalliard family for sharing their magnificent historical heritage. Thanks to Dave, there will be many other McGalliard family photos and historic graphics posted and preserved in the Hamilton Township Public Library Local History Collection.

Anonymous said...

I wonder which McGalliard boy that is stealthy perched on a stump in front of the foreground hedges.

I ALSO WONDERED ABOUT THAT, "ANONYMOUS." MAYBE DAVE OR GLENN CAN TELL US.

TOM GLOVER

1940: PRESIDENTS COUNCIL, JUNIOR 4

This and the graphic which follows gives an idea of how education methods have evolved over the years. Compared to 1940, 2010 America's dropout rate shrinks more and more each year, Here we see the "Presidents' Council" at Junior 4, today's Grace Dunn Middle School. I see Wes Hopkins in there. He ended up as a distinguished local radio personality on WTTM in the 1940's.

Michael said...

Tom: You never cease to amaze me with the articles you find to publish. Tonight, I am shocked to find my late sister Lillian among the Jr.4 President's group. Growing up, I thought she went to Jr.3. I entered Jr.4 in 1947, following mys sisters Mary Ann, and Hilda.Lillian and her husband John who passed away this summer owned Interstate Waste Removal, and also National Waste. I will copy this and send it along to her sons Johnny of Florida, and Jimmy who operates the family golf course, Stony Brook Golf in Pennington. Regards Mike Kuzma

Wednesday, October 06, 2010

THANKS, MIKE. Finding your sister in an old news article is the main reason I sub-title my blog, "LOCAL HISTORY WITH A PERSONAL TOUCH."

Tom Glover

1940: TRENTON SCHOOLS: SOPHISTICATION!

 

Note the subjects and clubs to which students from years past were exposed! It is in stark contrast to the schools of today. Clionian Society, :Pythagorian Society, Belle Lettres. Each one of these came up with the fabled red underline indicated a mis-spelled word. Even Microsoft didn't know what they were. Nor do I. I do know the education was much more centered on culture, good manners, and ettiquette.

Sally Logan Gilman said...

Hi Tom: Always thrilled to see your material from Trenton's wonderful schools of the past. I was too young to have appeared in the Jr. 3 write-up. But, when it was my time, the teachers stressed culture and good manners. In those days, we got the same lessons at home but at least my parents could rely on the teachers reinforcing what they taught me. Thanks again for the memories.

Thursday, October 07, 2010

The photo above is from the "HAMILTON SQUARE BAPTIST CHURCH" folder in the Hamilton Library's Local  Hitory Collection has been hand-colored using my Photo Shop software. The building was built in 1851 and dedicated in  1852. This revered landmark church goes back to Colonial days, On Sunday, October 3, 2010, a 225th anniversary celebration service was held at the beautiful and historic church.

1948: THELMA RICHMOND AND RUTH MARGERUM KUSER 5TH GRADE TEACHERS

Miss Richmond was my 5th grade teacher at Kuser. At that time, Ruth Margerum was teaching the 3rd grade. I assume she was re-assigned to the 5th grade in succeeding years.

1943: RUTH MARGERUM KUSER 3RD GRADE TEACHER

In an earlier post on this blog, I published a photo of Ruth Margerum along with Shirley Whitebread and Thomas Glover as Kuser glee club singers. The song Shirley and I sang resulted in Shirley and I singing for the World War II soldiers at Fort Dix Walson hospital. I would bet that Pvt. Bill Hayes was the soldier who was with Miss Margerum when we went on that patriotic sojourn. I do recall a soldier was the driver,  

1940: PRELUDE TO WAR-FIFTEEN MONTHS TO PEARL HARBOR!

Here we see one of the major reasons for the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. The embargo, along with Japan's invasion and atrocities in China during the 1930's placed the U.S.A. in direct conflict with Japan's designs on the far east.

1949: HAMILTON HIGH SCHOOL PRESENTS "HOLLYWOOD EXTRA"

1949: How those Tom Glover hormones were raging! All those exquisitely beautiful Hamilton High girls, all in one place,  all at the same time.....Judy Britton, Shirley Whitebread, Bettee Beiger, Carol Sine, Loretta Barabas, Shirley Baker, Joanne Feeser.... the list goes on and on! In retrospect, the years I spent in Hamilton High with Louise Baird's vocal music classes have are among my most treasured memories. My only regret is that the operettas chosen by the organizers were very obscure insofar as finding the music for them in 2010 America. How I would love to find the lyrics to "Hollywood Extra" or "Tulip Time" on the web today and bring them into my community music programs! But alas, they never reached the heights of "Oklahoma," "Carousel," and other blockbuster Broadway musicals.

Candy Frenking Jens said...

Ah, yes, I remember them well! Mrs. Combs and Mrs. Booth were very dramatic and very intimidating, at least until I got to know them. Ms. Booth was the faculty supervisor for bus trips to Broadway shows - great memories!

Saturday, October 02, 2010

1912 CHAMBERSBURG'S MAJESTIC THEATER

My friend Mike McNichol published a photo of the Majestic Theater on his Chambersburg blog http://mackstruckofwisdom.blogspot.com. It was from one of my old scrapbooks and I have included it in the Hamilton Library's "THEATERS" folder. It had a chip out of the upper right part of the photo, and I have repaired it and am posting it herewith in the event that Mac wants to re-post it. I am also including an aerial view of the location of that grand old and very historic theater. The Majestic, along with the Star Theater which was located at 7 South Broad Street in Trenton (adjacent to the Broad St. Methodist Church) were pioneer "theatres" in Trenton during the very earliest years of the motion picture industry,. The Star opened in 1908 and the Majestic in 1912. 

As to the 800 block of South Broad Street and the location of the Majestic, it is important to remember that in the early years of Chambersburg' development, that area from the Cass Street area over to Liberty Street were sort of the "main street" of Chambersburg.  

There are other files on both the Majestic and Star theaters, and they will be posted in future posts.

Mack said...

Thank You so much for this Tom:)
The aerial picture a perfect way to let us know where it once was. I think that building was Tom Petro's Gym in my Burg day but I could be wrong. Also I made a post wishing you a Happy Birthday on my blog on your birthday in case you did not see it. You are the best Tom:)

Saturday, October 02, 2010

 

1942: RUTH MARGERUM - KUSER SCHOOL 3RD GRADE

We all had one or more teachers who exerted a life-long influence on us. Miss Margerum was one of three that I had during my years in the Hamilton School system. Along with Ruth, Margaret Gaydos and Louise Baird brought the wonderful world of music and dramatics into my life. I am forever grateful. I really pains me when I hear that there are a number of schools across the nation considering dropping these two extremely important social subjects due to financial constraints; especially when I consider the negative position of the teachers' unions to refuse to sacrifice for their students,.

This photo was scanned from a very small contact print. I used "max" dots per inch setting and even then when the photo was enlarged from the original size of the image (about 3/8 of an inch), you will note some "noise in Miss Margerum's facial area. The background also had noise, but it has been filled with a soft gray pallet.